Method of cleaning carpets comprising an amineoxide or acyl sarcosinate and a source of active oxygen

ABSTRACT

A method of cleaning carpets with a composition comprising a surfactant selected from amine oxides and acyl sarcosinates. The compositions are advantageous in that they do not leave a dulling film if not removed from the carpet after drying. Preferably, the compositions also contain a source of active oxygen for stain removal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the cleaning of carpets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Carpets produced from synthetic or natural fibers and mixtures thereofare commonly used in residential and commercial applications as a floorcovering. Various types of fibers can be used in making carpets such aspolyamide fibers, polyester fibers as well as wool, cotton or even silk.

Carpets, irrespective of whether they are made from natural or syntheticfibers are all prone to soiling and staining when contacted with manyhousehold items. Indeed, fibers may become soiled as a result of variousitems like foods, grease, oils, beverages as well as dirt particles,clay, dust, particulate soils in general, coming into contact with andadhering to the fibers of the carpets. These latter soils often appearin the form of a diffuse layer of soils rather than in the form of spotsand tend to accumulate particularly in the so called "high trafficareas" such as near doors as a result of intensive use of the carpets insuch areas.

There are a number of carpet cleaning compositions described in the artfor removing stains and/or soils from carpets. However, thesecompositions leave a lot of residues on the carpets after having beenapplied and left in contact with said carpets to perform their cleaningaction. The residues left onto said carpets by said carpet cleaningcompositions have the tendency to stick to said carpets and are thusdifficult to remove by mechanical means for example by vacuum cleaning.The presence of high amount of residues and in particular of stickyresidues, contributes to facilitate carpet resoiling and to make thecarpet lose its "new" aspect and colour brightness.

Thus the object of the present invention is to provide a method ofcleaning carpets whereby the amount of residues left onto said carpetsafter having been applied thereto is reduced. A further object of thepresent invention is to provide a method of cleaning a carpet thatprovides excellent stain removal performance without the need ofremoving from said carpet the carpet cleaning composition that has beenapplied thereto to clean said carpet.

It has now been found that the above object can be met by incorporatingan amine oxide surfactant according to the formula R1R2R3NO, whereineach of R1, R2 and R3 is independently a saturated substituted orunsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl group of from 1 to 30 carbonatoms, and/or an acyl sarcosinate surfactant according to the formula:##STR1## wherein M is hydrogen or a cationic moiety and wherein R is analkyl group of from 9 to 20 carbon atoms, in a carpet cleaningcomposition. Indeed, it has now been found that the use of such asurfactant in a carpet cleaning composition allows to reduce the amountof residues left onto a carpet that has been contacted with said carpetcleaning composition. It has further been found that the residues leftare at least partially crystals with an average particle surface biggerthan 300μ². More particularly, the present invention is based on theconsumer noticeable finding that excellent stain removal performance isdelivered with a composition comprising such an amine oxide surfactantand/or acyl sarcosinate surfactant without the need of removing saidcomposition from the carpet after having been applied thereto and havingperformed its cleaning action. Thus the present invention allows a onestep carpet cleaning method with excellent stain removal performance.Furthermore, if a removing step although not necessary is neverthelesscarried out by for example vacuum cleaning said carpet after havingapplied thereto said composition, said removing step is facilitated.Indeed, the residues left onto a carpet when cleaned with a carpetcleaning composition according to the present invention can be easilyremoved from said carpet, for example by vacuum cleaning, as compared tothe residues left onto said carpet when cleaned with the samecomposition without said surfactant according to the present invention,or with the same composition but with alkyl sulphate instead of saidsurfactant according to the present invention.

An advantage of the present invention is that it is applicable to allcarpet types, especially delicate natural fibers and is also safe to allcarpet dye types, particularly sensitive natural dyes used therein. Thecompositions suitable to be used herein are also particularly efficientto clean upholstery and car seats covering.

Another advantage is that the compositions to be used according to thepresent invention may be applied directly on the carpet without causingdamage to the carpet. In addition the cleaning action of the inventioncommences as soon as the carpet cleaning composition has been applied tothe surface. Indeed, the use of the carpet cleaning compositions of thepresent invention does not necessarily require rubbing or/and brushingof the carpet.

A further advantage of the present invention is that excellent stainremoval performance is provided on a variety of stains includingparticulate stains like clay, dirt, dust, mud, concrete, greasy/oilystains like make-up, lipstick, dirty motor oil, mineral oil, greasy foodlike mayonnaise and spaghetti sauce, bleachable stains like tea, wine,grass and coffee as well as enzymatic stains like blood.

Yet another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention where said carpet cleaning method is carried out withoutremoving said carpet cleaning composition from a carpet after havingbeen applied and left to dry onto said carpet, is that when said carpetcleaning composition further comprises a perfume, said perfume is longerlasting on carpets. This results in improved fragrance odor of carpetsbeing cleaned. In other words, the method of cleaning carpets accordingto the present invention wherein the carpet cleaning composition usedfurther comprises a perfume and wherein said composition is not removedfrom said carpets after having been applied thereto, provides a freshand clean impression to carpets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention encompasses a method of cleaning a carpet whereina composition comprising an amine oxide surfactant according to theformula R1R2R3NO, wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is independently asaturated substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl groupof from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and/or an acyl sarcosinate surfactantaccording to the formula ##STR2## wherein M is hydrogen or a cationicmoiety and wherein R is an alkyl group of from 9 to 20 carbon atoms, isapplied to said carpet in a liquid form, optionally rubbed and/orbrushed and left to dry without removing it from said carpet.

In another embodiment, the present invention encompasses a method ofcleaning carpet which includes the steps of applying said compositionherein in a liquid form onto said carpet, optionally rubbing and/orbrushing and leaving it to dry before removing it from said carpet,preferably by mechanical means including brushing out and/or vacuumcleaning.

The present invention further encompasses the use of a cleaningcomposition comprising an amine oxide surfactant according to theformula R1R2R3NO, wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is independently asaturated substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl groupof from 1 to 30 carbon atoms and/or an acyl sarcosinate surfactantaccording to the formula ##STR3## wherein M is hydrogen or a cationicmoiety and wherein R is an alkyl group of from 9 to 20 carbon atoms,preferably a pure-cut amine oxide surfactant and/or a pure-cut acylsarcosinate surfactant, for cleaning a carpet, to reduce the amount ofresidues left onto said carpet after said composition has been appliedand left to act thereto.

The present invention also encompasses the use of a cleaning compositioncomprising an amine oxide surfactant according to the formula R1R2R3NO,wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is independently a saturated substitutedor unsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl group of from 1 to 30 carbonatoms, and/or an acyl sarcosinate surfactant according to the formula##STR4## wherein M is hydrogen or a cationic moiety and wherein R is analkyl group of from 9 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably a pure-cut amineoxide surfactant and/or a pure-cut acyl sarcosinate surfactant, for thecleaning of a carpet, whereby the residues left onto said carpet are atleast partially crystals with an average particle surface bigger than300μ².

All amounts, percentages and ratios are given by weight of the totalcomposition in its neat form unless otherwise stated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention encompasses a method of cleaning a carpet with acomposition comprising an amine oxide surfactant and/or an acylsarcosinate surfactant, wherein said composition is applied to saidcarpet in a liquid form, optionally rubbed and/or brushed and left todry, without the need of removing said composition from said carpet toget excellent stain removal performance.

The compositions suitable to be used according to the present inventionmay be formulated either as solids or liquids. In liquid form, thecompositions are preferably but not necessarily formulated as aqueouscompositions. Liquid compositions are preferred herein for convenienceof use. In the case where the compositions are formulated as solids forexample as granular compositions or powder compositions, they areapplied on the carpets to be treated according to the present inventionin a liquid form. Indeed, by "in a liquid form" it is meant herein theliquid compositions per se in neat or diluted form as well as thegranular or powder compositions that have been diluted with anappropriate solvent, typically water, before use, i.e., before beingapplied onto said carpet.

By "diluted form" it is meant herein that the compositions for thecleaning of carpets according to the present invention may be diluted bythe user, preferably with water. Said compositions can be diluted up to150 times, preferably up to 50 times and more preferably up to 25 times.

As an essential ingredient, the compositions to be used according to thepresent invention comprise an amine oxide surfactant and/or an acylsarcosinate surfactant.

Suitable amine oxide surfactants to be used herein are according to thefollowing formula R₁ R₂ R₃ NO wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 isindependently a saturated substituted or unsubstituted, linear orbranched alkyl group of from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and preferably offrom 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof. Particularly preferredamine oxide surfactants to be used according to the present inventionare amine oxide surfactants having the following formula R₁ R₂ R₃ NOwherein R1 is a saturated linear or branched alkyl group of 1 to 30alkyl group, preferably of 6 to 20 alkyl group, more preferably of 6 to16 and wherein R2 and R3 are independently substituted or unsubstituted,linear or branched alkyl groups of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferablyof from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably are methyl groups, ormixtures thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the amine oxidesurfactants used herein are pure-cut amine oxide surfactants, i.e., anamine oxide surfactant of one chain length, e.g., C8 N,N, dimethyl amineoxide, as opposed to mixtures of amine oxide surfactants of differentchain lengths. Indeed, it is with said pure-cut amine oxide surfactantpreferably as the sole surfactant in the compositions suitable to beused herein that the amount of residues left onto said carpets is themost reduced and/or that the residues left are almost all crystals withan average particle surface bigger than 300μ².

Suitable amine oxide surfactants to be used herein are natural blend ofC8-C14 amine oxides. Suitable pure-cut amine oxide surfactants for useherein are for instance C10 amine oxides, C8 amine oxides as well as C14amine oxides. Amine oxide surfactants are commercially available fromHoechst under the trade name Genaminox.

Suitable acyl sarcosinate surfactants to be used herein are according tothe following formula, or mixtures thereof: ##STR5## wherein M ishydrogen or a cationic moiety and wherein R is an alkyl group of from 9to 20 carbon atoms, preferably of from 11 to 15 carbon atoms and morepreferably of from 11 to 13 carbon atoms. Preferred M are hydrogen andalkali metal salts, especially sodium and potassium. Said acylsarcosinate surfactants are derived from natural fatty acids and theamino-acid sarcosine (N-methyl glycine). They are suitable to be used asaqueous solution of their salt or in their acidic form as powder. Beingderivatives of natural fatty acids, said acyl sarcosinates are rapidlyand completely biodegradable and have good skin compatibility.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention said acyl sarcosinatesurfactants used herein are pure-cut acyl sarcosinate surfactants, i.e.,an acyl sarcosinate surfactant of one chain length, e.g., C14 acylsarcosinate, as opposed to mixtures of acyl sarcosinate surfactants ofdifferent chain lengths. Indeed, as for the pure-cut amine oxidesurfactants herein, it is with said pure-cut acyl sarcosinate surfactantpreferably as the sole surfactant in the compositions suitable to beused herein that the amount of residues left onto said carpets is themost reduced and/or that the residues left are almost all crystals withan average particle surface bigger than 300μ².

Particularly preferred acyl sarcosinate surfactant is C14 acylsarcosinate (i.e. an acyl sarcosinate surfactant according to the aboveformula wherein M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group of 13 carbonatoms). Said acyl sarcosinate surfactant may be commercially available,for example, as Hamposyl M-30® supplied by Hampshire.

Typically, the compositions of the present invention comprise from 0.01%to 20% by weight of the total composition of said amine oxide surfactantand/or said acyl sarcosinate surfactant, preferably from 0.01% to 10%,and more preferably from 0.1% to 8%.

It has now been found that said amine oxide surfactants and/or said acylsarcosinate surfactants have the advantage to reduce the amount ofresidues left onto carpets which have been treated with a compositioncomprising said surfactants, as compared to the same composition withanother surfactant like alkyl sulphate instead of said surfactantsaccording to the present invention. Also, the residues left after acomposition suitable to be used according to the present invention hasperformed its cleaning action onto said carpet, are at least partiallyin a crystalline form (generally lamellar and/or needle-shaped) with anaverage particle surface bigger than 300μ². According to the preferredembodiment of the present invention at least 80% of the total amount ofresidues left onto said carpet are crystals with an average particlesurface bigger than 300μ², more preferably at least 90%, and mostpreferably at least 95%.

Crystal forms of the residues and the amount of residues left onto thecarpets after having applied thereto a cleaning composition, can beevaluated/identified by observation of product residues after waterevaporation under optical microscope on glass slides and on carpetpiles. Crystal residues can be identified on a video screen (in videoenhanced microscopy) and their dimensions can be measured for instancewith the help of a videomicrometer VM-1000 or measured directly on thephotograph.

An advantage of the present invention is that after having been incontact with a composition according to the present invention, carpetsmaintain their aspect and do not resoil because of sticky residues ontheir surface. In fact the residues left by the compositions used toclean carpets according to the present invention are in such a lowquantity that they do not affect carpet appearance. This results in thebenefit that the compositions suitable to be used according to thepresent invention do not need to be removed from said carpet afterhaving been applied thereto.

A further advantage of the present invention is that excellent stainremoval performance is obtained on a variety of stains includingparticulate stains, greasy stains, bleachable stains and enzymaticstains, this even without the need of removing said carpet cleaningcomposition from the carpet after having been applied thereto and leftto dry. Indeed, it has been observed that improved stain removalperformance is obtained on a variety of stains with the compositionsaccording to the present invention, as compared to the same compositionswithout said amine oxide surfactant and/or acyl sarcosinate surfactant,or with the same compositions with other surfactants like C12 alkylsulfate instead of said amine oxide surfactant and/or acyl sarcosinatesurfactant.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention encompasses a method ofcleaning a carpet with a composition according to the present inventionwhich comprises the steps of applying said composition in a liquid formonto said carpet, optionally rubbing and/or brushing said carpet, thenleaving said composition to dry onto said carpet without removing itfrom said carpet. An advantage of the present invention is that thecleaning action of the compositions suitable to be used herein commencesas soon as said compositions are applied onto said carpet. Thus, thecleaning process of the present invention does not necessarily requirerubbing and/or brushing. It is only in the case of highly soiled carpetsor in the so called "high traffic areas" that the carpet may be cleanedby applying onto it said composition for the cleaning of carpetsaccording to the present invention, then rubbing and/or brushing it moreor less intensively for example by means of a sponge or a brush or othermechanical/electrical device, optionally with the aid of water. Ingeneral, the rubbing/brushing-times are between 0.1 to a few minutes persquare meters.

In another embodiment, the present invention encompasses a method ofcleaning carpet with a composition according to the present inventionwhich comprises the steps of applying onto said carpet said compositionin a liquid form, optionally rubbing and/or brushing said carpet, thenleaving said composition to dry onto said carpet before removing it fromsaid carpet preferably by mechanically means including brushing outand/or vacuum cleaning, said latter step being facilitated. Byfacilitated it is meant herein that less effort may be required from theuser to remove the residues that may have been left onto said carpet.Indeed, the low amount of residues formed according to the presentinvention and their nature, i.e., crystals forms, allow the residuesthat may be present, to be removed more easily from said carpet, if sucha removal step is carried out, for example, by vacuum cleaning, asopposed to residues being sticky and thus difficult to remove from saidcarpet.

Said compositions according to the present invention in a liquid formmay be applied directly onto the area to be treated or applied using acloth or piece of material such as spraying device or aerosol can, asponge, a brush or other mechanical/electrical device. Preferably saidcomposition in a liquid form is applied to the area to be treated byusing a spraying device or an aerosol can. Such a spraying device may betrigger operated or pump operated or electrically operated or operatedby any source of pressurised gas such as a can or a pressurizer. Suchspraying devices are particularly preferable if a large area is to betreated as it facilitates the ease of use for the consumer. The sprayingdevices ensure uniform coverage of the area to be treated and maximisesthe advantage of the using liquid aqueous compositions containingperoxides. This is because the application of product by spray bestallows the product to be left to dry on the area treated, even withoutrubbing or brushing. This optimises the action time of the compositionand allows the best exploitation of the bleaching action of peroxides,if present.

The area to be treated using the compositions according to the presentinvention may be any size. In addition, a complete section or even awhole carpet may be applied with the composition for the cleaning ofcarpets according to the present invention. For such purposes when usinga liquid aqueous composition a spraying device with a pump to allowprolonged spraying is particularly useful.

The amount of the compositions for the cleaning of carpets according tothe present invention applied will depend on the severity of the stainsor soils. In the case of stubborn stains more than one application maybe required to ensure complete removal of the stain. The carpet cleaningcompositions may also be used in order to remove the dinginess of thecarpet resulting from a diffused layer of soil which results fromgeneral wear.

The compositions for the cleaning of carpets according to the presentinvention may be used both for manual carpet cleaning and carpetcleaning machines. For carpet cleaning machines the compositions for thecleaning of carpets according to the present invention, i.e. eitherliquid compositions or granular compositions or powder compositions thatwill be diluted to be in a liquid form according to the machineoperating instructions. Furthermore, compositions to be used in suchmachines should be formulated to prevent high sudsing. Such compositionsmay thus comprise suds suppressing agents.

The compositions suitable to be used according to the present inventionmay further comprise as an optional but highly preferred ingredient asource of active oxygen or mixtures thereof. Preferred compositionsherein are liquid aqueous compositions comprising a source of activeoxygen that have the advantage, due to the presence of said amine oxidesurfactants and/or acyl sarcosinate surfactants, to be particularlyefficient in terms of overall stain removal performance and to bechemically stable. Indeed, said liquid aqueous compositions according tothe present invention do not require pH adjustment prior to use and canbe stored for long periods of time prior to use.

A preferred source of active oxygen according to the present inventionis hydrogen peroxide or sources thereof. As used herein a hydrogenperoxide source refers to any compound which produces hydrogen peroxidewhen said compound is in contact with water. Suitable water-solublesources of hydrogen peroxide for use herein include percarbonates, metalperoxides and perborates.

In addition, other classes of peroxides can be used as an alternative tohydrogen peroxide and sources thereof or in combination with hydrogenperoxide and sources thereof. Suitable classes include dialkylperoxides,diacylperoxides, preformed percarboxylic acids, persilicates,persulphates, organic and inorganic peroxides and/or hydroperoxides.

Suitable organic and inorganic peroxides/hydroperoxides for use in thecompositions according to the present invention include diacyl anddialkyl peroxides/hydroperoxides such as dibenzoyl peroxide, t-butylhydroperoxide, dilauroyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, persulphuric acidand mixtures thereof.

Suitable preformed peroxyacids for use in the compositions for thecleaning of carpets according to the present invention includediperoxydodecandioic acid DPDA, magnesium perphthalatic acid, perlauricacid, perbenzoic acid, diperoxyazelaic acid and mixtures thereof.

Accordingly, the compositions suitable to be used according to thepresent invention comprise from 0.1% to 15%, preferably from 0.5% to10%, more preferably from 1 % to 7% by weight of active oxygen in saidcomposition.

As used herein, active oxygen concentration refers to the percentageconcentration of elemental oxygen, with an oxidation number zero, that,being reduced to water, would be stoichiometrically equivalent to agiven percentage concentration of a given peroxide compound, when theperoxide functionality of the peroxide compound is completely reduced tooxides. The active oxygen sources according to the present inventionincrease the ability of the compositions to remove colored stains, todestroy malodorous molecules and to kill germs.

The concentration of available oxygen can be determined by methods knownin the art, such as the iodimetric method, the permanganometric methodand the cerimetric method. Said methods and the criteria for the choiceof the appropriate method are described for example in "HydrogenPeroxide", W. C. Schumb, C. N. Satterfield and R. L. Wentworth, ReinholdPublishing Corporation, New York, 1955 and "Organic Peroxides", DanielSwern, Editor Wiley Int. Science, 1970.

The compositions suitable to be used according to the present inventionmay further comprise a bleach activator or mixtures thereof, as anotheroptional ingredient. By "bleach activator", it is meant herein acompound which reacts with hydrogen peroxide to form a peracid. Theperacid thus formed constitutes the activated bleach. Suitable bleachactivators to be used herein include those belonging to the class ofesters, amides, imides, or anhydrides.

Examples of suitable compounds of this type are disclosed in BritishPatent GB 1 586 769 and GB 2 143 231 and a method for their formationinto a prilled form is described in European Published PatentApplication EP-A-62 523. Suitable examples of such compounds to be usedherein are tetracetyl ethylene diamine (TAED), sodium 3,5,5 trimethylhexanoyloxybenzene sulphonate, diperoxy dodecanoic acid as described forinstance in U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,425 and nonylamide of peroxyadipic acidas described for instance in U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,201 andn-nonanoyloxybenzenesulphonate (NOBS). Also suitable are N-acylcaprolactam selected from the group consisting of substituted orunsubstituted benzoyl caprolactam, octanoyl caprolactam, nonanoylcaprolactam, hexanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl caprolactam, undecenoylcaprolactam, formyl caprolactam, acetyl caprolactam, propanoylcaprolactam, butanoyl caprolactam pentanoyl caprolactam or mixturesthereof. A particular family of bleach activators of interest wasdisclosed in EP 624 154, and particularly preferred in that family isacetyl triethyl citrate (ATC). Acetyl triethyl citrate has the advantagethat it is environmentally friendly as it eventually degrades intocitric acid and alcohol. Furthermore, acetyl triethyl citrate has a goodhydrolytical stability in the composition upon storage and it is anefficient bleach activator. As used herein and unless otherwisespecified, the term bleach activator includes mixtures of bleachactivators.

The compositions suitable to be used according to the present inventionmay comprise up to 30% by weight of the total composition of said bleachactivator, or mixtures thereof, preferably from 1% to 20%, and morepreferably from 2% to 10%.

The pH of the liquid compositions suitable to be used according to thepresent invention can be from 0 to 14. In a preferred embodiment,wherein the liquid compositions herein comprise a source of activeoxygen, the recommended pH range to achieve good hydrogen peroxidestability is from 1 to 9, preferably between pH 1 and 8, more preferablybetween pH 1 and 7 and most preferably between 1 and 6. Accordingly, thecompositions herein may further comprise an acid to adjust pH. Inaddition, some acids can have the advantage that they can form smallconcentrations of the corresponding peracids by reaction with hydrogenperoxide in-situ, thus enhancing the overall performance of thecomposition. These acids can be further selected so as to have chelatingand/or building properties. The acids of the present invention that maybe used for these purposes can be organic or inorganic acids, preferablyorganic acids such as citric, maleic, oxalic succinic, and tartaricacids or inorganic acids such as sulphuric acid.

The compositions suitable to be used according to the present inventionmay comprise a chelating agent or mixtures thereof, as a highlypreferred optional ingredient. Chelating agents suitable to be usedherein include chelating agents selected from the group of phosphonatechelating agents, amino carboxylate chelating agents,polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents, and furtherchelating agents ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acids, and mixturesthereof.

Suitable phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein may includeethydronic acid as well as amino phosphonate compounds, including aminoalkylene poly (alkylene phosphonate), alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxydiphosphonates, nitrilo trimethylene phosphonates, ethylene diaminetetra methylene phosphonates, and diethylene triamine penta methylenephosphonates. The phosphonate compounds may be present either in theiracid form or as salts of different cations on some or all of their acidfunctionalities. Preferred phosphonate chelating agents to be usedherein are diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates. Suchphosphonate chelating agents are commercially available from Monsantounder the trade name DEQUEST®.

Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents may also beuseful in the compositions herein. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,812,044, issuedMay 21, 1974, to Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in acidform are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

A preferred biodegradable chelating agent for use herein is ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acid, or alkali metal, or alkaline earth,ammonium or substitute ammonium salts thereof or mixtures thereof.Ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acids, especially the (S,S) isomer havebeen extensively described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,233, Nov. 3, 1987, toHartman and Perkins. Ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acids is, forinstance, commercially available under the tradename ssEDDS® from PalmerResearch Laboratories.

Suitable amino carboxylates to be used herein include ethylene diaminetetra acetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetates, diethylene triaminepentaacetate (DTPA),N-hydroxyethylethylenediamine triacetates,nitrilotri-acetates, ethylenediamine tetrapropionates,triethylenetetraaminehexa-acetates, ethanoldiglycines, propylene diaminetetracetic acid (PDTA) and methyl glycine di-acetic acid (MGDA), both intheir acid form, or in their alkali metal, ammonium, and substitutedammonium salt forms. Particularly suitable amino carboxylate to be usedherein is diethylene triamine penta acetic acid.

Other chelating agents suitable to be used herein include salicylic acidand derivatives thereof. Salicylic acid may be commercially availablefrom Rhone-Poulenc under the name Salicylic Acid®. Indeed, it has beenobserved that the addition of salicylic acid on top of an amine oxidesurfactant results in a synergistic effect on the stain removalperformance on a variety of stains including particulate stains and/orgreasy/oily stains and/or bleachable stains, this especially in themethod of cleaning carpets according to the present invention.

The compositions suitable to be used according to the present inventioncomprise up to 5% by weight of the total composition of said chelatingagent or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.1% to 4% and morepreferably from 0.1% to 2%.

The compositions suitable to be used herein may also comprise soilsuspending polycarboxylate polymers. Any soil suspending polycarboxylatepolymer known to those skilled in the art can be used according to thepresent invention such as homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylic acids ortheir salts including polyacrylates and copolymers of maleic anhydrideor/and acrylic acid and the like. Indeed, such soil suspendingpolycarboxylate polymers can be prepared by polymerizing orcopolymerizing suitable unsaturated monomers, preferably in their acidform. Unsaturated monomeric acids that can be polymerized to formsuitable polymeric polycarboxylates include acrylic acid, maleic acid(or maleic anhydride), fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid,mesaconic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid. The presencein the polymeric polycarboxylates herein of monomeric segments,containing no carboxylate radicals such as vinylmethyl ether, styrene,ethylene, etc. is suitable provided that such segments do not constitutemore than about 40% by weight.

Particularly suitable polymeric polycarboxylates to be used herein canbe derived from acrylic acid. Such acrylic acid-based polymers which areuseful herein are the water-soluble salts of polymerized acrylic acid.The average molecular weight of such polymers in the acid formpreferably ranges from about 2,000 to 10,000, more preferably from about4,000 to 7,000 and most preferably from about 4,000 to 5,000.Water-soluble salts of such acrylic acid polymers can include, forexample, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts.Soluble polymers of this type are known materials. Use of polyacrylatesof this type in detergent compositions has been disclosed, for example,in Diehl, U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,067, issued Mar. 7, 1967.

Acrylic/maleic-based copolymers may also be used as a preferred soilsuspending polycarboxylic polymer. Such materials include thewater-soluble salts of copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid. Theaverage molecular weight of such copolymers in the acid form preferablyranges from about 2,000 to 100,000, more preferably from about 5,000 to75,000, most preferably from about 7,000 to 65,000. The ratio ofacrylate to maleate segments in such copolymers will generally rangefrom about 30:1 to about 1:1, more preferably from about 10:1 to 2:1.Water-soluble salts of such acrylic acid/maleic acid copolymers caninclude, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substitutedammonium salts. Soluble acrylate/maleate copolymers of this type areknown materials which are described in European Patent Application No.66915, published Dec. 15, 1982. Particularly preferred is a copolymer ofmaleic/acrylic acid with an average molecular weight of about 70,000.Such copolymers are commercially available from BASF under the tradename SOKALAN CP5.

The compositions suitable to be used herein may also comprise soilsuspending polyamine polymers as optional ingredients. Any soilsuspending polyamine polymer known to those skilled in the art may alsobe used herein. Particularly suitable polyamine polymers for use hereinare polyalkoxylated polyamines. Such materials can conveniently berepresented as molecules of the empirical structures with repeatingunits: ##STR6## and ##STR7## wherein R is a hydrocarbyl group, usuallyof 2-6 carbon atoms; R¹ may be a C₁ -C₂₀ hydrocarbon; the alkoxy groupsare ethoxy, propoxy, and the like, and y is 2-30, most preferably from10-20; n is an integer of at least 2, preferably from 2-20, mostpreferably 3-5; and X⁻ is an anion such as halide or methylsulfate,resulting from the quaternization reaction.

The most highly preferred polyamines for use herein are the so-calledethoxylated polyethylene amines, i.e., the polymerized reaction productof ethylene oxide with ethyleneimine, having the general formula:##STR8## when y=2-30. Particularly preferred for use herein is anethoxylated polyethylene amine, in particular ethoxylatedtetraethylenepentamine, and quaternized ethoxylated hexamethylenediamine.

The compositions suitable to be used herein may further comprise otheradditional compounds such as other surfactants, builder system,solvents, perfumes, dyes, suds suppressing agents, enzymes,photobleaching agents, other chelating agents and other minors. Wherethe compositions herein comprise a source of active oxygen, the optionalingredients are selected so that they are compatible with said source ofactive oxygen.

Solvents suitable for use herein may be selected from octyl alcohol,isopropyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, ethoxypropoxy alcohol, buthoxypropoxyalcohol and/or furfuryl alcohol.

Pyrocatechol is a highly preferred optional ingredient to be used in theliquid compositions according to the present invention. The liquidcompositions according to the present invention comprise up to 5% byweight of the total composition of pyrocatechol, preferably from 0.01%to 1%, and more preferably from 0.01% to 0.5%.

Pyrocatechol improves the chemical stability of the liquid compositionsof the present invention that further comprise a source of activeoxygen, i.e. lower the decomposition of the bleach and the bleachactivator, if present. Indeed, it is believed that the chemicalstabilising effect of pyrocatechol is twofold. Firstly, they may work asradical scavengers and secondly, they may interact with the hydrogenperoxide preventing or limiting hydrolysis, therefore reducing the rateof peroxide decomposition.

Surfactants suitable for use herein are well known in the art andinclude anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic and cationic surfactants andmixtures thereof.

The anionic surfactants which may be used herein include alkali metalsalts of alkyl substituted benzene sulphonates, alkali metal alkylsulphonates, alkali metal alkyl sulphates and alkali metal alkyl ethersulphates derived from for example fatty alcohols and alkyl phenols,alkali metal alkane sulphonates, alkali metal olefin sulphonates andalkali metal sulphosuccinates and alkyl succinates, whereby the sodiumsalts are preferred, alkyl carboxylates and alkyl ether carboxylates.

The nonionic surfactants which may be used herein include any liquid orsolid ethoxylated C₆ -C₂₄ fatty alcohol nonionic surfactant, alkylethoxylates/propoxylates and mixtures thereof, fatty acid C₆ -C₂₄alkanolamides, C₆ -C₂₀ polyethylglycol ethers, polyethylene glycol withmolecular weight 1000 to 80000 and glucose amides, alkyl pyrrolidones,betaines.

Suitable cationic surfactants for use herein include quaternary ammoniumcompounds of the formula R₁ R₂ R₃ R₄ N⁺ where R₁,R₂ and R₃ are methylgroups, and R₄ is a C₁₂₋₁₅ alkyl group, or where R₁ is an ethyl orhydroxy ethyl group, R₂ and R₃ are methyl groups and R₄ is a C₁₂₋₁₅alkyl group.

Zwitterionic surfactants are also suitable optional ingredients for useherein. Suitable zwitterionic surfactants include derivatives ofaliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulphonium compounds inwhich the aliphatic moiety can be straight or branched chain and whereinone of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to about 24carbon atoms and another substituent contains, at least, an anionicwater-solubilizing group. Particularly preferred zwitterionic materialsare the ethoxylated ammonium sulphonates and sulfates disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,925,262, Laughlin et al., issued Dec. 9, 1975 and 3,929,678,Laughlin et al., issued Dec. 30, 1975. The compositions herein compriseup to 70% by weight, preferably from 0.1% to 50% by weight of the totalcomposition of a surfactant or mixtures thereof.

The compositions suitable to be used according to the present inventionmay further comprise a builder system. Any conventional builder systemis suitable for use herein. Suitable builders for use herein includecitric acid, preferably in the form of a water-soluble salt, derivativesof succinic acid of the formula R₋₋ CH(COOH)CH₂ (COOH) wherein R isC₁₀₋₂₀ alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C₁₂₋₁₆, or wherein R can besubstituted with hydroxyl, sulpho sulphoxyl or sulphone substituents.Specific examples include lauryl succinate, myristyl succinate, palmitylsuccinate, 2-dodecenylsuccinate, 2-tetradecenyl succinate. Succinatebuilders are preferably used in the form of their water-soluble salts,including sodium, potassium, ammonium and alkanolammonium salts.

Other suitable builders are oxodisuccinates and mixtures of tartratemonosuccinic and tartrate disuccinic acid such as described in U.S. Pat.No. 4,663,071.

Further suitable builders for use herein are fatty acid buildersincluding saturated or unsaturated C₁₀₋₁₈ fatty acids, as well as thecorresponding soaps. Preferred saturated species have from 12 to 16carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. The preferred unsaturated fatty acid isoleic acid.

A preferred builder system for use herein consists of a mixture ofcitric acid, fatty acids and succinic acid derivatives described hereinabove. The compositions herein may comprise from 0% to 10%, preferablyfrom 1% to 7% by weight of the total composition of a builder system.

The compositions suitable to be used according to the present inventionmay further comprise a perfume or mixtures thereof. Suitable perfumes tobe used herein include materials which provide an olfactory aestheticbenefit and/or cover any "chemical" odor that the composition may have.The function of a small fraction of the highly volatile, low boiling(having low boiling points) perfume ingredients is mainly to improve thefragrance odor of the carpet composition itself but also to impact onthe subsequent odor of carpets being cleaned. Also, some of the lessvolatile, high boiling perfume ingredients provide a fresh and cleanimpression to carpets, and it is desirable that these perfumeingredients be deposited and be present on said surfaces. Perfumeingredients can be readily solubilized in compositions, for instance bythe surfactants present in said compositions. The perfume ingredientsand compositions suitable to be used herein are the conventional onesknown in the art. Selection of any perfume compound and composition, oramount of perfume, is based on stability tests, performance tests andaesthetic considerations.

Suitable perfume compounds and compositions can be found in the artincluding U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,145,184, Brain and Cummins, issued Mar. 20,1979; 4,209,417, Whyte, issued Jun. 24, 1980; 4,515,705, Moeddel, issuedMay 7, 1985; and 4,152,272, Young, issued May 1, 1979, all of saidpatents being incorporated herein by reference. In general, the degreeof substantivity of a perfume is roughly proportional to the percentagesof substantive perfume material used. Relatively substantive perfumescontain at least about 1%, preferably at least about 10%, substantiveperfume materials. Substantive perfume materials are those odorouscompounds that deposit on surfaces via the cleaning process and aredetectable by people with normal olfactory acuity. Such materialstypically have vapor pressures lower than that of the average perfumematerial. Also, they typically have molecular weights of about 200 andabove, and are detectable at levels below those of the average perfumematerial. Perfume ingredients useful herein, along with their odorcharacter, and their physical and chemical properties, such as boilingpoint and molecular weight, are given in "Perfume and Flavor Chemicals(Aroma Chemicals)," Steffen Arctander, published by the author, 1969,incorporated herein by reference.

Examples of the highly volatile, low boiling, perfume ingredients are:anethole, benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl formate,iso-bornyl acetate, camphene, ciscitral (neral), citronellal,citronellol, citronellyl acetate, para-cymene, decanal, dihydrolinalool,dihydromyrcenol, dimethyl phenyl carbinol, eucaliptol, geranial,geraniol, geranyl acetate, geranyl nitrile, cis-3-hexenyl acetate,hydroxycitronellal, d-limonene, linalool, linalool oxide, linalylacetate, linatyl propionate, methyl anthranilate, alpha-methyl ionone,methyl nonyl acetaldehyde, methyl phenyl carbinyl acetate, laevo-menthylacetate, menthone, iso-menthone, mycrene, myrcenyl acetate, myrcenol,nerol, neryl acetate, nonyl acetate, phenyl ethyl alcohol, alpha-pinene,beta-pinene, gamma-terpinene, alpha-terpineol, beta-terpineol, terpinylacetate, and vertenex (para-tertiary-butyl cyclohexyl acetate). Somenatural oils also contain large percentages of highly volatile perfumeingredients. For example, lavandin contains as major components:linalool; linalyl acetate; geraniol; and citronellol. Lemon oil andorange terpenes both contain about 95% of d-limonene.

Examples of moderately volatile perfume ingredients are: amyl cinnamicaldehyde, iso-amyl salicylate, beta-caryophyllene, cedrene, cinnamicalcohol, coumarin, dimethyl benzyl carbinyl acetate, ethyl vanillin,eugenol, iso-eugenol, flor acetate, heliotropine, 3-cis-hexenylsalicylate, hexyl salicylate, lilial (para-tertiarybutyl-alpha-methylhydrocinnamic aldehyde), gamma-methyl ionone, nerolidol, patchoulialcohol, phenyl hexanol, beta-selinene, trichloromethyl phenyl carbinylacetate, triethyl citrate, vanillin, and veratraldehyde. Cedarwoodterpenes are composed mainly of alpha-cedrene, beta-cedrene, and otherC15H24 sesquiterpenes.

Examples of the less volatile, high boiling, perfume ingredients are:benzophenone, benzyl salicylate, ethylene brassylate, galaxolide(1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-cyclopenta-gama-2-benzopyran),hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, lyral (4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene-10-carboxaldehyde), methyl cedryl one, methyldihydro jasmonate, methyl-beta-naphthyl ketone, musk indanone, muskketone, musk tibetene, and phenylethyl phenyl acetate.

An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention wheresaid carpet cleaning method is carried out without removing said carpetcleaning composition from a carpet after having been applied and left todry onto said carpet, is that when said carpet cleaning compositionfurther comprises a perfume, said perfume is longer lasting on carpets.This results in improved fragrance odor of carpets being cleaned. Inother words, the method of cleaning carpets according to the presentinvention wherein the carpet cleaning composition used further comprisesa perfume and wherein said composition is not removed from said carpet,provides a fresh and clean impression to carpets.

EXAMPLES

The following examples will illustrate the present invention. Thecompositions are made by combining the listed ingredients in the listedproportions (weight % unless otherwise specified).

    ______________________________________                                        Compositions                                                                              I      II     III  IV   V    VI   VII                             ______________________________________                                        Hydrogen peroxide                                                                         6.0    6.0    7.0  7.0  7.0  7.0  7.0                             PA          1.0    --     1.0  1.0  1.0  --   1.0                             DETPMP      --     0.2    --   --   --   0.2  --                              MA/AA       --     1.0    --   --   --   1.0  --                              NaCnAS      --     1.0    --   --   --   1.0  --                              C8 Amine oxide                                                                            2.0    2.0    2.0  --   --   2.0  2.0                             C14 amine oxide                                                                           1.0    --     --   --   --   --   --                              C14 acyl sarcosinate                                                                      --     --     --   3.0  1.5  1.0  1.0                             Perfume     0.4    0.2    0.4  0.2  0.2  --   0.2                             Water and minors                                                                          Balance                                                           ______________________________________                                    

DETPMP is diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonic acid availablefrom Monsanto under the trade name Dequest 2060 or Dequest 4060. MA/AAis copolymer of maleic/acrylic acid, average molecular weight about70,000. PA is an ethoxylated tetraethylenepentamine, average molecularweight about 70,000. NaCnAS is sodium alkylsulphate.

When cleaning carpets with the carpet cleaning compositions of the aboveexamples excellent cleaning performance on a variety of stains/soilsincluding particulate stains, greasy/oily stains, bleachable stains likecoffee, beverages and enzymatic stains like blood is obtained while theamount of residues left onto said carpet is reduced. Indeed, said carpetcleaning compositions provide excellent stain removal even when applyingthem on carpets, leaving them to dry without subsequently removing themfrom said carpets.

We claim:
 1. A method of cleaning a carpet wherein a compositioncomprising from 0.01% to 20% of an amine oxide surfactant according tothe formula R₁ R₂ R₃ NO, wherein each of R₁, R₂ and R₃ is independentlya saturated substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl groupof from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and/or an acyl sarcosinate surfactantaccording to the formula ##STR9## wherein M is hydrogen or a cationicmoiety and wherein R is an alkyl group of 9 to 20 carbon atoms, and from0.5% to 10% of active oxygen, is applied to said carpet in an aqueousliquid form, optionally rubbed and/or brushed and left to dry withoutremoving it from said carpet.
 2. A method according to claim 1 whereinsaid composition is a liquid aqueous composition applied neat or dilutedto said carpet, or a granular or a powder composition which has beendiluted typically with water before being applied to said carpet in saidliquid form.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said compositionis used in a carpet cleaning machine.
 4. A method according to claim 1wherein said composition is applied to said carpet by means of aspraying device or an aerosol can.
 5. A method according to claim 1wherein said composition comprises from about 0.01% to about 10% byweight of the total composition of said amine oxide surfactant and/orsaid acyl sarcosinate surfactant.
 6. A method according to claim 1wherein said amine oxide surfactant is according to the formula R₁ R₂ R₃NO wherein R₁ is a saturated linear or branched alkyl group of 1 to 30carbon group and wherein R₂ and R₃ are independently substituted orunsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl groups of from about 1 to about4 carbon atoms.
 7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said amineoxide surfactant is a pure-cut amine oxide surfactant.
 8. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein said acyl sarcosinate is according to theformula: ##STR10## wherein M is hydrogen or a cationic moiety andwherein R is an alkyl group of from about 11 to about 15 carbon atoms,or mixtures thereof.
 9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said acylsarcosinate surfactant is a pure-cut acyl sarcosinate surfactant.
 10. Amethod according to claim 1 wherein said composition comprises from 1%to 7% by weight of active oxygen in said composition.
 11. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein said composition further comprises aningredient selected from the group consisting of chelating agents,bleach activators, soil suspending polycarboxylate and/or polyaminepolymers, builders, solvents, perfumes, dyes, suds suppressing agents,enzymes, photobleaching agents and mixtures thereof.
 12. A method ofcleaning a carpet wherein a composition comprising from 0.01% to 20% ofan amine oxide surfactant according to the formula R₁ R₂ R₃ NO, whereineach of R₁, R₂ and R₃ is independently a saturated substituted orunsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl group of from about 1 to about30 carbon atoms, and/or an acyl sarcosinate surfactant according to theformula ##STR11## wherein M is hydrogen or a cationic moiety and whereinR is an alkyl group of about 9 to about 20 carbon atoms, and from 0.5%to 10% of active oxygen, is applied to said carpet in a liquid aqueousform, optionally rubbed and/or brushed, and left to dry before removingit from said carpet, by mechanical means including brushing out and/orvacuum cleaning, whereby said removing step is facilitated.
 13. A methodaccording to claim 12 wherein said amine oxide surfactant is accordingto the formula R₁ R₂ R₃ NO wherein R₁ is a saturated linear or branchedalkyl group of 1 to 30 carbon group and wherein R₂ and R₃ areindependently substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkylgroups of from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms.
 14. A method accordingto claim 12 wherein said amine oxide surfactant is a pure-cut amineoxide surfactant.
 15. A method according to claim 12 wherein said acylsarcosinate is according to the formula: ##STR12## wherein M is hydrogenor a cationic moiety and wherein R is an alkyl group of from about 11 toabout 15 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof.
 16. A method according toclaim 12 wherein said acyl sarcosinate surfactant is a pure-cut acylsarcosinate surfactant.
 17. A method according to claim 12 wherein saidcomposition comprises from about 1% to about 7% by weight of activeoxygen in said composition.
 18. The method of claim 6 wherein R₁ is a 6to 20 carbon alkyl group and R₂ and R₃ are methyl groups.
 19. The methodof claim 9 wherein the acyl sarcosinate is a C₁₄ acyl sarcosinate. 20.The method of claim 10 wherein the active oxygen is in the form ofhydrogen peroxide or a source thereof.
 21. The method of claim 13wherein R₁ is a 6 to 20 carbon alkyl group and R₂ and R₃ are methylgroups.
 22. The method of claim 16 wherein the acyl sarcosinate is a C₁₄acyl sarcosinate.
 23. The method of claim 17 wherein the active oxygenis in the form of hydrogen peroxide.